Safety system configured to determine when a vehicle has made an unwanted stop

ABSTRACT

A method for monitoring a vehicle includes determining that the vehicle is stopped and determining a location where the vehicle is stopped. Traffic congestion corresponding to the location where the vehicle is stopped may also be determined. A safety action may be taken based at least in part on whether the vehicle is stopped on a highway and whether the traffic congestion is causing the vehicle to be stopped.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/000,454, filed Jun. 5, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Motor vehicles travel at speeds much faster than humans can walk. Humansuse motor vehicles for many different purposes, including commuting toand from work, traveling for vacations, and running errands.

Motor vehicles generally travel on roads. There are different types ofroads. Motor vehicles may use local roads to travel around aneighborhood. Local roads may include traffic control devices such asstop lights or stop signs. Motor vehicles may also travel on freeways.Freeways may have speed limits higher than local roads. Freeways mayalso have on-ramps and off-ramps.

Safety is important when motor vehicles travel on a road. Accidentsinvolving motor vehicles may cause significant harm and even death todrivers and passengers of motor vehicles.

Semi-trailer trucks may utilize roads to transport goods over longdistances, often traveling for several days. Other vehicles, includingdelivery vans, passenger vehicles, and trucks, may also utilize roads totransport people, freight, or goods. These vehicles often move goodsfrom manufacturers and suppliers to distribution and retail locations.These vehicles may be part of a fleet of vehicles. A carrier may managea fleet from one or more locations. A carrier may be a company thattransports goods for another company. The trucking industry inparticular hauls a large percentage of freight in the United States. Bysome estimates, trucks move more than 10 billion tons of freight everyyear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a system in which aspects of thepresent disclosure may be utilized.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates an example of a method thatmay be implemented for monitoring a vehicle.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram that illustrates an example of a method thatmay be implemented for determining a type of alert to send with respectto a vehicle.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram that illustrates an example of a method thatmay be implemented for determining whether to send an alert with respectto a vehicle.

FIG. 3C is a flow diagram that illustrates an example of a method thatmay be implemented for determining a type of alert to send regarding avehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of situations to which aspects of thepresent disclosure may be applied.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of a situation to which aspects ofthe present disclosure may be applied.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of a situation in which aspects ofthe present disclosure may be applied.

FIG. 7 illustrates certain components that may be included within acomputer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Vehicles use roads, including highways, to transport people, freight, orgoods. Some vehicles that transport freight, including semi-trailertrucks, are often larger than other motor vehicles travelling on ahighway. A collision between a motor vehicle and a semi-trailer truckmay cause damage to the motor vehicle and may cause injury to a driveror passenger of the motor vehicle.

Vehicles transporting people, freight, or goods may be doing so for anindividual or carrier. An accident involving a vehicle hauling freightfor a carrier may create liability against the individual or carrier. Anaccident may also create liability for an owner or insurer of a vehicle.Thus, a carrier may want to monitor when a vehicle transporting people,freight, or goods on its behalf takes an action that increases thepotential that the vehicle may be involved in an accident.

A vehicle that stops on a road may create a danger to other motorvehicles. For example, a vehicle that stops on a road when traffic islight and no traffic light or traffic sign requires a stop may create anaccident because other drivers may not expect a stop in that situation.Another example may be when a vehicle stops on a side of a highway.Motor vehicles may travel at high speeds when travelling on a highway.Due to distracted driving, adverse weather or visibility conditions,lack of familiarity with a road, or for other reasons, a motor vehiclemay veer outside its lane and collide with a vehicle stopped on a sideof a highway.

It may be beneficial for an individual or carrier to know when a vehicletransporting people, freight, or goods on the individual or carrier'sbehalf has stopped on a road, including on a side of a highway. Anindividual or carrier may cause a fleet manager to contact a driver oroccupant of a stopped vehicle. An individual or carrier may associate astop with a driver for use in performance reviews and advancement andpay decisions. An individual or carrier may take other actions withrespect to a vehicle that has made a potentially dangerous, unplanned,or unauthorized stop.

There may be instances where a vehicle has stopped on a highway, and anindividual or carrier does not need or want to know about the stop. Forexample, heavy traffic may have caused a vehicle to stop. A vehicle mayalso be stopped on an on-ramp or off-ramp. It may be desirable to notifyan individual or carrier about only certain stops in order to preserveresources of a carrier and to allow an individual or carrier toprioritize situations that may require a more immediate or urgentresponse.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 in which aspects of thepresent disclosure may be used. The system 100 may include a computingdevice 102, a central management location 106, and a vehicle 108. Thecomputing device 102 may be located in the central management location106, in the vehicle 108, or in another location. Although one computingdevice 102, one central management location 106, and one vehicle 108 areshown, the system 100 may include more than one of each of theseelements. The system 100 may also contain additional elements not shownand may contain fewer than the elements shown.

The computing device 102 may be configured to receive information from aglobal positioning system (GPS) 104 and one or more data services 120.The computing device 102 may include a communication interface 114. Thecommunication interface 114 may be configured to enable the computingdevice 102 to exchange information with the GPS 104, the data services120, the vehicle 108, the central management location 106, and otherpersons, entities, systems, and devices.

The GPS 104 may provide geographic coordinates for the vehicle 108 andenable the computing device 102 to determine a geographic location ofthe vehicle 108. The GPS 104 may also enable the computing device 102 todetermine speed and movement of the vehicle 108. The GPS 104 may provideinformation about locations of objects other than the vehicle 108.

The data services 120 may provide data and information useful to aperson driving on a road or to a person responsible for a person drivingon a road. For example, the data services 120 may provide informationabout, among other items, traffic, accidents, weather, roadconstruction, location of traffic control devices, estimated traveltimes, road conditions, speed limit, location of roads and highways,location of on-ramps and off-ramps, location of rest stops, location offuel stops, time of day, visibility, road closures, road grade, and roadwindiness. The data services 120 may provide data and information thatcorrespond to the location of the vehicle 108.

The computing device 102 may be configured to receive information fromthe vehicle 108. The vehicle 108 may provide information about thevehicle, including make, model, year, location, speed, destination,fuel, freight, ignition status, parking brake status, gear status,mechanical or engine problems, flasher data, tire pressure, andmaintenance record. The vehicle 108 may also provide information about aroad on which the vehicle 108 is traveling. The vehicle 108 may alsoprovide information to the central management location 106 and to othermotor vehicles.

The computing device 102 may include one or more of a processor 110 andmemory 112. The memory 112 may be any electronic component capable ofstoring electronic information. The processor 110 may process andexecute instructions stored on the computing device 102 or the memory112. The memory 112 may contain one or more applications 116, one ormore maps 118, and one or more files 117.

The application 116 may contain instructions for determining whether thevehicle 108 has stopped. The application 116 may contain instructionsthat determine the vehicle 108 is stopped if the vehicle 108 is notmoving. The application 116 may contain instructions that determine thevehicle 108 is stopped if the vehicle has not moved for at least athreshold period of time.

The application 116 may contain instructions for determining a type oflocation where the vehicle 108 has stopped. The vehicle 108 may stop ina variety of different types of locations, including a road, including ahighway (such as a controlled-access highway designed for high-speedvehicular traffic), a parking lot, a residence, a loading dock, a fuelstation, and a weigh station.

The maps 118 may contain information about geographic locations. Themaps 118 may contain information about locations of roads, trafficcontrol devices, on-ramps, and off-ramps. The data services 120 mayprovide information about geographic locations. The application 116 mayinclude instructions for using information about the location of thevehicle 108 and information from the maps 118 and the data services 120to determine a type of location where the vehicle 108 is located.

The application 116 may contain instructions for determining potentialreasons the vehicle 108 has stopped. The application 116 may containinstructions for determining whether traffic congestion, a trafficcontrol device, engine problems, a flat tire, a border inspection, aweigh station, construction, or weather may have caused the vehicle 108to stop.

The application 116 may contain instructions for determining whether thevehicle 108 has made a stop of a type that warrants a safety action. Asafety action may include any action intended to improve safety, eitherimmediately or in the future. A safety action may include an alert to adriver, a manager, an insurance agent, emergency services, or dataservices. A safety action may include making a note in a driver fileregarding a stop.

A stop warranting a safety action may be one or more of the following: astop of a type that an individual or carrier or insurance agent wants toreceive notice of; a stop of a type that an individual or carrier hasnot authorized; a stop that increases the potential for an accidentinvolving a vehicle; a stop that is dangerous; a stop that indicates avehicle needs assistance; a vehicle stopped on a road when circumstancesdo not require the vehicle to stop; or a vehicle stopped on a shoulderof a road. A stop warranting a safety action may be a stop that thecomputing device 102 determines has more than a threshold probability ofbeing a stop of a certain type.

Determining whether the vehicle 108 has made a stop warranting a safetyaction may be based in part on one or more factors or criteria,including whether the vehicle 108 may be stopped on a road, whether thevehicle 108 may be stopped on a highway, whether traffic congestion mayhave caused the vehicle 108 to be stopped, whether a traffic controldevice may have caused the vehicle 108 to be stopped, whether issueswith the vehicle 108 may have caused the vehicle 108 to be stopped,whether weather conditions may have caused the vehicle 108 to bestopped, or whether the vehicle 108 may be stopped on an on-ramp oroff-ramp. For example, the application 116 may contain instructions thatdetermine the vehicle 108 has made a stop warranting a safety actionwhere the vehicle 108 has stopped on a highway and traffic congestion isnot causing the vehicle 108 to be stopped. The application 116 maycontain instructions that determine the vehicle 108 has not made a stopwarranting a safety action where the vehicle 108 has stopped on ahighway and traffic congestion is causing the vehicle 108 to be stopped.The application 116 may also contain instructions that determine avehicle has made a stop warranting a safety action where the vehicle hasstopped on a road and neither traffic congestion nor traffic controldevices have caused the vehicle to stop.

The computing device 102 may contain files 117 for organizinginformation. The files 117 may be configured to contain informationregarding multiple vehicles and multiple drivers and to organize theinformation by driver and/or vehicle. The files 117 may containinformation regarding the vehicle 108 and a driver 128 of the vehicle108. Information contained in the files 117 may include historicalinformation about trips the vehicle 108 and the driver 128 have taken,past accidents involving the vehicle 108 and the driver 128, problemsthe vehicle 108 has had, employment history of the driver 128, andprevious stops of the vehicle 108 and the driver 128 that warranted asafety action.

The central management location 106 may include a manager 122. Themanager 122 may be associated with a carrier or an insurance provider.The manager 122 may have access to a communication device 124 and aninput/output device 126. The manager 122 may have responsibility tooversee one or more vehicles. The communication device 124 may beconfigured to enable the manager 122 to communicate with the driver 128of the vehicle 108. The communication device 124 may be configured toenable the manager 122 to communicate with other persons and entities.The input/output device 126 may be configured to enable the manager 122to receive information and alerts from the internet, the computingdevice 102, the data services 120, the vehicle 108, and the GPS 104. Theinput/output device 126 may be configured to enable the manager 122 tosend information to the internet, the computing device 102, the dataservices 120, the vehicle 108, or the GPS 104.

The vehicle 108 may be any motor vehicle or motorized vehicle. Thevehicle 108 may have a GPS device 130. The GPS device 130 may enable theGPS 104 to determine a geographic location of the vehicle 108.

The vehicle 108 may travel on a highway 134. One or more motor vehicles132 may travel on the highway 134. The highway 134 may include one ormore lanes 138. The highway 134 may include a shoulder 136. The highway134 may include on-ramps and off-ramps (not shown). The vehicle 108 mayalso travel on roads other than the highway 134.

The vehicle 108 may also have one or more cameras configured to captureimages or video of an area in front of, adjacent to, or behind thevehicle 108. The one or more cameras or the vehicle 108 may transmitvideo or images from the one or more cameras to the computing device102. The computing device 102 may use video or images from the one ormore cameras to determine whether the vehicle 108 is stopped, todetermine a location of the vehicle 108, to determine whether thevehicle 108 is on the shoulder 136 of the highway 134, or to determinetraffic congestion corresponding to a location of the vehicle 108.

There may be one or more cameras associated with the highway 134. Theone or more cameras associated with the highway 134 may capture imagesor video of the highway 134. The one or more cameras associated with thehighway 134 may transmit images or video to the computing device 102 orto the data services 120. The computing device 102 may use video orimages from the one or more cameras associated with the highway 134 todetermine whether the vehicle 108 is stopped, to determine a location ofthe vehicle 108, to determine whether the vehicle 108 is on the shoulder136 of the highway 134, or to determine traffic congestion correspondingto a location of the vehicle 108.

The application 116 may contain instructions for causing the computingdevice 102 to take one or more actions when the computing device 102determines that the vehicle 108 has made a stop warranting a safetyaction. The application 116 may contain instructions that cause thecomputing device 102 to send an alert to one or more of the driver 128and the manager 122. The application 116 may also cause the computingdevice 102 to note the stop in a file associated with the driver 128.The application 116 may also cause the computing device 102 to make amaintenance call or a call to emergency services.

The application 116 may contain instructions for determining what typeof safety action to take. For example, the application 116 may containinstructions to take an urgent safety action if the computing device 102determines that the vehicle 108 is stopped on a road, there is notraffic congestion, there is no traffic control device within athreshold distance of the vehicle 108, and there is no on-ramp oroff-ramp within a threshold distance of the vehicle 108. The application116 may contain instructions to take a less urgent safety action if thecomputing device 102 determines that the vehicle 108 is stopped on aroad but there is an on-ramp or off-ramp within a threshold distance ofthe vehicle 108 or there is a traffic control device within a thresholddistance of the vehicle 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a method 200 that may be implementedfor monitoring a vehicle. The method 200 may be practiced using one ormore of the components in the the system 100 shown in FIG. 1, includingthe computing device 102. It may also be practiced using other systemsor devices capable of performing the method 200.

A system may first determine 202 that a vehicle is stopped. A system mayuse one or more methods to determine 202 that a vehicle is stopped. Indetermining whether a vehicle is stopped, a system may use informationabout a vehicle's location, a vehicle's speed, a vehicle's speed overtime, whether a vehicle is in park, whether a vehicle's emergency brakeis engaged, and whether a vehicle's ignition is on or off. A system maydetermine that a vehicle is stopped when the vehicle is not moving. Asystem may determine that a vehicle is stopped if the vehicle is inpark, the vehicle's emergency brake is engaged, or the vehicle'signition is turned off. A system may determine that a vehicle is stoppedif the vehicle's location has not changed for a threshold period oftime. A system may determine that a vehicle is stopped if the vehiclehas not moved for a threshold period of time. A threshold period of timemay be any measure of time such as one second or one minutes. A systemmay use various methods to determine that a vehicle is not moving,including GPS, electronic countermeasure, radar, and LIDAR. A system mayalso use information from one or more cameras to determine that avehicle is not moving.

A system may then determine 204 a location where a vehicle is stopped.Determining 204 a location where a vehicle is stopped may includedetermining a geographic location of the vehicle. A system may use a GPSto determine 204 a location where a vehicle is stopped. A GPS mayprovide coordinates for a geographic location of a vehicle. Determining204 a location where a vehicle is stopped may include comparingcoordinates where a vehicle is stopped to information contained in a mapor received from a data service about an area corresponding tocoordinates where the vehicle is stopped. A system may also use video orimages from one or more cameras to determine a location where a vehicleis stopped.

Determining 204 a location where a vehicle is stopped may includedetermining a type of location where the vehicle is stopped. A systemmay compare a geographic location of a vehicle with data from one ormore maps, databases, or data services to determine a type of locationthat corresponds to the geographic location of the vehicle. For example,where a geographic location of a vehicle is identical to a geographiclocation of a road, a system may determine the vehicle is stopped on aroad. A system may also determine a type of location where a vehicle isstopped by using video or images from one or more cameras. For example,a system may use video or images from one or more cameras to determinethat a vehicle is stopped on a shoulder of a road, including a shoulderof a highway.

A system may also determine that a vehicle is stopped on a road,including a highway, even though a geographic location of a vehicle doesnot correspond exactly to a geographic location of a road. For example,a system may determine that a vehicle is on a road where a GPS indicatesa location of the vehicle that is within a threshold distance (such as 5feet, 10 feet, or 20 feet) of a road. It may be desirable for a systemto determine that a vehicle is on a road even though a GPS indicates alocation of the vehicle that is not on a road because the GPS may notreturn coordinates that perfectly represent the actual geographiclocation of the vehicle or because data regarding locations of roadwayscontained in maps or data services may not be perfectly accurate.

A system may determine 206 traffic congestion corresponding to alocation of a vehicle. Traffic congestion may be one or both of aquantitative measure of traffic or a qualitative measure of traffic. Asystem may exchange information with data services to determine trafficcongestion corresponding to a location of a vehicle. A system mayprovide information to a data service regarding a location of a vehicleand the data service may provide information to the system regarding oneor more of traffic speed, traffic density, traffic volume, traffic flow,or level of service corresponding to that location. Traffic speed may bea measure of how fast motor vehicles are traveling in a particular areaor across a particular point. Traffic density may be a measure of anumber of vehicles that occupy an area. Traffic volume may be a measureof how many motor vehicles travel through an area or across a point overa period of time. Traffic flow may include a measure of how vehicles areinteracting with each other on a road. Level of service may be aqualitative measure of traffic ranging from congestion-free tocongested. Level of service may be based on one or more inputs,including speed, travel time, density, maneuverability, and delay. Thesemeasures may be based on average or instantaneous data. Similarly, adata service may provide to a system information about trafficcongestion on all highways, and the system may use information about alocation of a vehicle to determine traffic congestion for an area orpoint corresponding to the location of the vehicle. A system maydetermine 206 traffic congestion corresponding to a location of avehicle based on real-time data and/or historical data. A system may usevideo or images captured by one or more cameras to determine 206 trafficcongestion corresponding to a location of a vehicle. A system may useinformation from a radar or a LIDAR to determine 206 traffic congestioncorresponding to a location of a vehicle.

Determining 206 traffic congestion corresponding to a location of avehicle may include determining traffic congestion for an area in frontof a vehicle, around a vehicle, or within a threshold distance of avehicle. Determining 206 traffic congestion corresponding to a locationof a vehicle may include determining traffic congestion at a point infront of a vehicle, adjacent to a vehicle, or within a thresholddistance of a vehicle. Determining 206 traffic congestion correspondingto a location of a vehicle may be based on one or more of traffic speed,traffic density, traffic volume, traffic flow, or level of service.Determining 206 traffic congestion corresponding to a location of avehicle may be based on other information, calculations, or factors suchas time of day, whether traffic is increasing or decreasing, number oflanes on a road, or day of the week.

A system may determine 208 whether a traffic control device is present.A traffic control device may be any marker, sign, or signal device usedto control or guide traffic. Traffic control devices may include trafficsigns, electronic message boards, cones, road markings, traffic lights,or speed bumps. A system may use a location of a vehicle and informationreceived from a data service to determine whether a traffic controldevice is present. A system may determine that a traffic control deviceis present if a traffic control device is within a threshold distance ofa vehicle.

A system may take 210 a safety action based at least in part on one ormore of whether a vehicle is stopped on a road, a type of road on whicha vehicle is stopped, whether traffic congestion is causing a vehicle tobe stopped, and presence of a traffic control device.

A safety action may include one or more of sending an alert to avehicle, causing the hazard lights of a vehicle to turn on, sending analert to a manager of a vehicle, sending an alert to a representative ofa carrier of a driver of a vehicle, sending an alert to an insuranceagent, adding a note to a file of a driver of a vehicle, sending analert to a data service, or sending an alert to motor vehicles near avehicle. A safety action may include other actions meant to improvesafety of a driver, a vehicle, a road, a location, or other motorvehicles.

A system may use one or more methods, criteria, or standards todetermine whether to take a safety action and what type of safety actionto take. A system may take a safety action if a vehicle makes a stopthat a carrier has not authorized or that increases the probability avehicle will be involved in an accident. A system may take a safetyaction if a vehicle has made a dangerous stop. A system may take asafety action if a vehicle has made an illegal stop. A system may take asafety action if a vehicle has stopped in a place where other motorvehicles do not expect a stopped vehicle. A system may take a safetyaction if the probability that a vehicle has made a certain type of stopis greater than a threshold probability.

By way of example, a system may take 210 a safety action where a vehicleis stopped on a road and neither traffic congestion nor a trafficcontrol device is causing the vehicle to be stopped. A system may take201 a safety action in that situation because in those circumstances thevehicle may be stopped on the side of a road or be stopped in the middleof a road in a situation that other drivers do not expect (which may betypes of stops that increase the likelihood that the vehicle will beinvolved in an accident). A system may not take a safety action where avehicle is stopped on a road and traffic congestion has caused thevehicle to be stopped because in those circumstances the vehicle may bestopped in a traffic jam. A system may not take a safety action where avehicle is stopped but not on a road because the vehicle may be stoppedat a place where vehicles are expected to be stopped (such as at a fuelstation). A system may not take a safety action where a vehicle isstopped and a traffic control device is present because the vehicle maybe stopped at a traffic light.

A system may use one or more methods to determine whether trafficcongestion has caused a vehicle to stop. A system may determine thattraffic congestion has caused a vehicle to stop if one or morequantitative measurements of traffic congestion meet certain thresholdstandards. A system may determine that traffic congestion has caused avehicle to stop based on determining one or more of the following for anarea or point corresponding to a location of the vehicle: that trafficspeed is less than a threshold speed; that traffic density is greaterthan a threshold density; that traffic volume is greater than athreshold volume; that traffic flow is less than a threshold flow; orthat level of service is less than a threshold level. A system maydetermine that traffic congestion has caused a vehicle to stop based oninformation received from data services. For example, a data service mayrate traffic congestion on a scale from 0 (no traffic) to 10 (trafficjam). A system may be configured to determine that traffic congestionhas caused a vehicle to be stopped where a data service reports trafficcongestion corresponding to a location of a vehicle of between 7 and 10.

A system may determine what safety action to take based on how likely itis that a vehicle has made an unauthorized stop. A system may determinewhat safety action to take based on how urgent a response is needed. Asystem may determine what safety action to take based on whether avehicle is within a threshold distance of a traffic control device,whether a vehicle is within a threshold distance of an on-ramp oroff-ramp, whether a vehicle is out of fuel, whether a vehicle is havingmechanical problems, whether a vehicle has a flat tire, whether it isdark where a vehicle is located, whether driver visibility may beimpaired where a vehicle is located, whether adverse weather conditionsare present where a driver is located, and whether a driver of a vehiclehas previously made a dangerous or unauthorized stop.

FIG. 3A illustrates one example of a method 300 a that may beimplemented for determining a type of alert to send regarding a vehicle.In accordance with the method 300 a, a system may first determine 302 athat a vehicle is stopped. A system may use methods and criteria likethose described in reference to FIG. 2 in determining 302 a whether avehicle is stopped.

A system may determine 304 a that a location of a vehicle is within athreshold distance of a highway. A system may compare a geographiclocation of a vehicle with data from one or more maps, databases, ordata services to determine whether a vehicle is within a thresholddistance of a highway.

A system may determine 306 a traffic congestion corresponding to alocation of a vehicle. A system may use methods and criteria like thosedescribed in reference to FIG. 2 in determining 306 a traffic congestioncorresponding to a location of a vehicle.

A system may determine 308 a that traffic congestion has not caused avehicle to be stopped. A system may use one or more methods to determine308 a that traffic congestion has not caused a vehicle to be stopped. Asystem may determine that traffic congestion has not caused a vehicle tostop based on determining one or more of the following corresponding toa location of the vehicle: that traffic speed is greater than athreshold speed; that traffic density is less than a threshold density;that traffic volume is less than a threshold volume; that traffic flowis greater than a threshold flow; or that level of service is greaterthan a threshold level. A system may determine that traffic congestionhas not caused a vehicle to stop based on information received from dataservices.

A system may then determine 309 a whether a location of a vehicle iswithin a threshold distance of a highway on-ramp or a highway off-ramp.A system may use information from maps and data services to determinelocations of on-ramps and off-ramps.

If a location of a vehicle is within a threshold distance of a highwayon-ramp or a highway off-ramp, a system may send 310 a-1 a first type ofalert. If the location of a vehicle is not within a threshold distanceof a highway on-ramp or a highway off-ramp, a system may send 310 a-2 asecond type of alert indicating higher urgency than the first type ofalert.

The first type of alert may be different from the second type of alert.The second type of alert may indicate higher urgency than the first typeof alert. For example, the second type of alert may be sent to a managerand instruct the manager to immediately contact a driver of a vehiclewhile the first type of alert may be sent to a manager and instruct themanager to check a vehicle's location on a map within a specified periodof time (such as two minutes). The second type of alert may be sent tomore or different places than the first type of alert. For example, thesecond type of alert may be sent to a manager and a supervisor of themanager while the first type of alert may be sent only to the manager.

FIG. 3B illustrates one example of a method 300 b that may beimplemented for determining whether to send an alert to a fleet manager.A fleet manager may be a person with responsibility to oversee two ormore vehicles that form a fleet.

A system may first determine 302 b that a vehicle is stopped. A systemmay use methods and criteria like those described in reference to FIG. 2in determining 302 b whether a vehicle is stopped.

A system may determine 304 b a location of a vehicle using a GPS. A GPSmay provide coordinates for a geographic location of a vehicle.Determining 304 b a location where a vehicle is stopped may includecomparing coordinates where a vehicle is stopped to informationcontained in a map or received from a data service about an areacorresponding to the coordinates where the vehicle is stopped.

A system may determine 305 b whether a vehicle is stopped on a highway.Determining 305 b whether a vehicle is stopped may include comparing ageographic location of a vehicle with data from one or more maps,databases, or data services. For example, where a geographic location ofa vehicle is identical to a geographic location of a highway, a systemmay determine a highway as a type of location where the vehicle isstopped. A system may also determine that a vehicle is stopped on ahighway even though a geographic location of a vehicle is not identicalto a geographic location of a highway. For example, a system maydetermine that a vehicle is on a highway where a GPS indicates alocation of the vehicle that is within a threshold distance (such as 5feet, 10 feet, or 20 feet) of a highway.

If a vehicle has not stopped on a highway, a system may not send 314 analert. For example, a system may not send 314 an alert if a vehicle hasstopped at a residential address, at a fuel station, or at adistribution center. If a vehicle has stopped on a highway, a system maydetermine 306 b one or more of traffic speed, traffic density, trafficvolume, traffic flow, or level of service corresponding to the locationof the vehicle.

A system may then determine 307 b whether traffic congestion is causingthe vehicle to be stopped. A system may use one or more methods todetermine 307 b whether traffic congestion has caused a vehicle to bestopped. A system may determine 307 b that traffic congestion has causeda vehicle to be stopped based on determining one or more of thefollowing corresponding to a location of the vehicle: that traffic speedis less than a threshold speed; that traffic density is greater than athreshold density; that traffic volume is greater than a thresholdvolume; that traffic flow is less than a threshold flow; or that levelof service is less than a threshold level.

If traffic congestion is causing a vehicle to be stopped, a system maynot send 314 an alert. If traffic congestion is not causing a vehicle tobe stopped, a system may send 310 b an alert to a fleet manager. A fleetmanager may be a person responsible for overseeing a vehicle. An alertto a fleet manager may instruct the fleet manager to take certainactions with respect to a vehicle. For example, an alert may instruct afleet manager to immediately call a driver of a vehicle.

FIG. 3C illustrates one example of a method 300 c that may beimplemented for determining a type of alert to send regarding a vehicle.In accordance with the method 300 c, a system may first determine 302 cthat a vehicle is stopped. A system may use methods and criteria likethose described in reference to FIG. 2 in determining 302 c whether avehicle is stopped.

A system may determine 311 whether a vehicle is stopped on a road. Asystem may compare a geographic location of a vehicle with data from oneor more maps, databases, or data services to determine whether a vehicleis stopped on a road. If a vehicle is not stopped on a road, a systemmay determine 314 c to not send an alert regarding the vehicle.

If a system determines that a vehicle is stopped on a road, the systemmay determine 307 c whether traffic congestion corresponding to alocation of the vehicle is causing the vehicle to be stopped. A systemmay use methods and criteria like those described in reference to FIG. 2in determining 307 c whether traffic congestion corresponding to alocation of a vehicle is causing the vehicle to be stopped. If trafficcongestion corresponding to a location of a vehicle is causing thevehicle to be stopped, a system may determine 314 c to not send an alertregarding the vehicle.

If a system determines that traffic congestion has not caused a vehicleto be stopped, a system may determine 313 whether a location of avehicle is within a threshold distance of a traffic control device. Asystem may use information from maps and data services to determinelocations of traffic control devices. If a vehicle is within a thresholddistance of a traffic control device, a system may determine 314 c tonot send an alert regarding the vehicle.

If a location of a vehicle is within a threshold distance of a trafficcontrol device, a system may determine 305 c whether the vehicle isstopped on a highway. If a vehicle is not stopped on a highway, a systemmay send 310 c-1 a first type of alert. If a vehicle is stopped on ahighway, a system may send 310 c-2 a second type of alert indicatinghigher urgency than the first type of alert.

The first type of alert may be different from the second type of alert.The second type of alert may indicate higher urgency than the first typeof alert. For example, the second type of alert may be sent to a managerand instruct the manager to immediately contact a driver of a vehiclewhile the first type of alert may be sent to a manager and instruct themanager to check a vehicle's location on a map within a specified periodof time (such as two minutes). The second type of alert may be sent tomore or different places than the first type of alert. For example, thesecond type of alert may be sent to a manager and a supervisor of themanager while the first type of alert may be sent only to the manager.

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of situations in which the methods disclosedherein may be implemented. A first situation 440 a shows a vehicle 408 aon a highway 434 a. The vehicle 408 a is traveling in a lane 438 of thehighway 434 a. One or more motor vehicles 432 are on the highway 434 a.The highway 434 a has a shoulder 436 a. The vehicle 408 a may beconsidered for purposes of this illustration to not be moving.

A system may determine that the vehicle 408 a is stopped because thevehicle 408 a is not moving. A system may then determine a location ofthe vehicle 408 a. A GPS may determine a geographic location of thevehicle 408 a. A GPS may determine a geographic location of the vehicle408 a that is on the highway 434 a.

A system may then determine traffic congestion corresponding to alocation of the vehicle 408 a. An area 442 a represents one possiblearea corresponding to a location of the vehicle 408 a. One potentialmeasure of traffic congestion may be traffic density. One potential wayto calculate traffic density may be to count a number of motor vehiclesin an area. There are six motor vehicles 432 a, 432 b, 432 c, 432 d, 432e, 432 f in the area 442 a. For purposes of this illustration, a systemmay determine that the area 442 a has a traffic density of six motorvehicles per area. Another potential measure of traffic congestion maybe traffic flow. One way to calculate traffic flow may be to determinean average speed of motor vehicles in an area. Assume for purposes ofthis illustration that the average speed of the motor vehicles 432 a,432 b, 432 c, 432 d, 432 e, 432 f in the area 442 a is one mile perhour. For purposes of this illustration, a system may determine trafficcongestion for the area 442 a that includes a traffic density of sixmotor vehicles per area and a traffic flow of one mile per hour.

The first situation 440 a does not show a traffic control device. Thus,in the first situation 440 a, a system may determine that a trafficcontrol device is not present.

Assume for purposes of this illustration that a system is configured totake a safety action when the vehicle 408 a is stopped on a highway andtraffic congestion has not caused the vehicle 408 a to be stopped. Alsoassume for purposes of this illustration that a system is configured todetermine that a vehicle is stopped on a highway if a vehicle is notmoving and its geographic location corresponds to a location of ahighway. In addition, assume for purposes of this illustration that asystem is configured to determine that traffic congestion has caused avehicle to be stopped if, for an area or point corresponding to alocation of the vehicle, traffic density is greater than five motorvehicles per area and traffic flow is less than two miles per hour.

With these assumptions, a system may determine that a safety action isnot needed in the first situation 440 a. Even though a system maydetermine that the vehicle 408 a is stopped on the highway 434 a, asystem may determine that traffic congestion caused the vehicle 408 a tobe stopped because the area 442 a has a traffic density greater thanfive motor vehicles per area and a traffic flow less than two miles perhour.

FIG. 4 also shows a second situation 440 b. The second situation 440 bshows a vehicle 408 b on a highway 434 b. In the second situation, thevehicle 408 b is on a shoulder 436 b of the highway 434 b. Motorvehicles 432 i, 432 j, 432 k are on the highway 434 b. The vehicle 408 bmay be considered for purposes of this illustration to not be moving.

A system may determine that the vehicle 408 b is stopped because thevehicle 408 b is not moving. A system may then determine a location ofthe vehicle 408 b. A GPS may determine a geographic location of thevehicle 408 b that is on the highway 434 b.

A system may then determine traffic congestion corresponding to alocation of the vehicle 408 b. An area 442 b represents one possiblearea corresponding to a location of the vehicle 408 b. There are twomotor vehicles 432 i, 432 j in the area 442 b. For purposes of thisillustration, a system may determine that the area 442 b has a trafficdensity of two motor vehicles per area. Assume for purposes of thisillustration that the average speed of the motor vehicles 432 i, 432 jin the area 442 b is 65 miles per hour. For purposes of thisillustration, a system may determine traffic congestion for the area 442b that includes a traffic density of two and a traffic flow of 65 milesper hour.

The second situation 440 b does not show a traffic control device. Thus,a system may determine that a traffic control device is not present.

Assume for purposes of this illustration that a system is configured totake a safety action when the vehicle 408 b is stopped on a highway andtraffic congestion has not caused the vehicle 408 b to be stopped.Assume for purposes of this illustration that a system is configured todetermine that a vehicle is stopped on a highway if a vehicle is notmoving and its geographic location corresponds to a location of ahighway. Assume for purposes of this illustration that a system isconfigured to determine that traffic congestion has caused a vehicle tobe stopped if, for an area or point corresponding to a location of thevehicle, traffic density is greater than five motor vehicles per areaand traffic flow is less than two miles per hour.

With these assumptions, a system may take a safety action in the secondsituation 440 b. A system may determine that the vehicle 408 b isstopped on the highway 434 b because the vehicle 408 b is not moving andthe vehicle 408 b has a geographic location corresponding to a locationof the highway 434 b. A system may determine that traffic congestion didnot cause the vehicle 408 b to be stopped because the area 442 b has atraffic density less than five motor vehicles per area and a trafficflow greater than two miles per hour.

A system may take a safety action that includes sending an alert to afleet manager. A system may also take a safety action that includessending an alert to a driver of the vehicle 408 b.

FIG. 5 illustrates a situation 540 in which the methods disclosed hereinmay be implemented. In the situation 540, a highway 534 is shown. Thehighway 534 has an off-ramp 548. The off-ramp 548 has a traffic controldevice 544. In this illustration, the traffic control device 544 is atraffic signal. Three motor vehicles 532 a, 532 b, 532 c are at leastpartially on the off-ramp 548. The motor vehicles 532 a, 532 b, 532 care not moving. A first vehicle 508 a, a second vehicle 508 b, a thirdvehicle 508 c and a fourth vehicle 508 d are shown on the highway 534.The third vehicle 508 c is on a shoulder 536 of the highway 534. Assumefor purposes of this illustration that the first vehicle 508 a is notmoving and has not been moving for 25 seconds, the second vehicle 508 bis moving at 60 miles per hour, the third vehicle 508 c has not beenmoving for 30 seconds, and the fourth vehicle 508 d is moving at 70miles per hour. A motor vehicle 532 d is traveling at 80 miles per houron the highway 534.

Assume for purposes of this illustration that a GPS returns locationsfor the first vehicle 508 a, the second vehicle 508 b, and the fourthvehicle 508 d that correspond to the highway 534. Assume that a GPSreturns a location for the third vehicle 508 c that is 15 feet away fromthe highway 534.

Assume for purposes of this illustration that a system is configured todetermine that a vehicle is stopped when it has not moved for at least10 seconds. Assume for purposes of this illustration that a system isconfigured to use a threshold distance of 20 feet in determining whethera vehicle is within a threshold distance of a highway. Assume forpurposes of this illustration that a system is configured to use athreshold distance of 30 feet in determining whether a vehicle is withina threshold distance of an off-ramp. A distance 546 is shown in FIG. 5.For purposes of this illustration, the distance 546 represents a lengthof 30 feet from the off-ramp 548.

Assume for purposes of this illustration that a system is configured todetermine that traffic congestion has caused a vehicle to be stopped if,for an area or point corresponding to a location of the vehicle, trafficdensity is greater than five motor vehicles per area and traffic flow isless than two miles per hour.

With respect to the first vehicle 508 a, a system may determine that thefirst vehicle 508 a is stopped because the first vehicle 508 a has notmoved for 25 seconds (which is longer than 10 seconds). A system maydetermine that the first vehicle 508 a is within a threshold distance ofa highway because the first vehicle 508 a has a GPS locationcorresponding to the highway 534.

For purposes of this illustration, a first area 542 a may represent anarea corresponding to a location of the first vehicle 508 a. A systemmay determine traffic congestion corresponding to the first area 542 a.One potential component of traffic congestion may be traffic density.One potential way to calculate traffic density may be to count a numberof motor vehicles in an area. There are 1.5 motor vehicles in the firstarea 542 a (half of motor vehicle 532 b and all of motor vehicle 532 c).For purposes of this illustration, a system may determine that the firstarea 542 a has a traffic density of 1.5 motor vehicles per area. Anotherpotential measure of traffic congestion may be to determine trafficflow. One way to calculate traffic flow may be to determine an averagespeed of motor vehicles in an area. Assume for purposes of thisillustration that the average speed of the motor vehicles 532 c, 532 bin the first area 542 a is zero miles per hour. For purposes of thisillustration, a system may determine traffic congestion for the firstarea 542 a that includes a traffic density of 1.5 and a traffic flow ofzero.

A system may determine that traffic congestion has not caused the firstvehicle 508 a to stop because traffic density for the first area 542 ais not greater than five motor vehicles per area. As a result, a systemmay determine to take a safety action that may include sending an alert.

A system may determine that the first vehicle 508 a is within athreshold distance of the off-ramp 548 because the first vehicle 508 ais within the distance 546 of the off-ramp 548. Because the firstvehicle 508 a is within a threshold distance of the off-ramp 548, asystem may send a first type of alert. A first type of alert may be sentto a fleet manager. A first type of alert may indicate to a fleetmanager that the first vehicle 508 a has stopped but that urgent actionis not necessary because the first vehicle 508 a may be stopped on anoff-ramp.

For purposes of this illustration, a system may determine that thetraffic control device 544 is present. A system may be configured to notsend an alert when a traffic control device is present. A system soconfigured may not send a first type of alert with respect to the firstvehicle 508 a.

With respect to the second vehicle 508 b, a system may determine thatthe second vehicle 508 b is not stopped because the second vehicle 508 bis traveling at 60 miles per hour (which is a speed greater than twomiles per hour). As a result, a system may not send any type of alertwith respect to the second vehicle 508 b.

With respect to the third vehicle 508 c, a system may determine that thethird vehicle 508 c is stopped because the third vehicle 508 c has notbeen moving for at least 10 seconds. A system may determine that thethird vehicle 508 c is within a threshold distance of a highway becausethe third vehicle 508 c has a GPS location within 20 feet of the highway534.

For purposes of this illustration, a second area 542 b may represent onepossible area corresponding to a location of the third vehicle 508 c. Asystem may determine traffic congestion corresponding to the second area542 b. One potential component of traffic congestion may be trafficdensity. One potential way to calculate traffic density is to count anumber of motor vehicles in an area. There are three motor vehicles inthe second area 542 b (the first vehicle 508 a, the second vehicle 508b, and motor vehicle 532 d). For purposes of this illustration, a systemmay determine that the second area 542 b has a traffic density of threemotor vehicles per area. Another potential measure of traffic congestionmay be to determine traffic flow. One way to calculate traffic flow maybe to determine an average speed of motor vehicles in an area. Assumefor purposes of this illustration that the average speed of the firstvehicle 508 a, the second vehicle 508 b, and the motor vehicle 532 d inthe second area 542 b is approximately 47 miles per hour. For purposesof this illustration, a system may determine traffic congestion for thesecond area 542 b that includes a traffic density of three and a trafficflow of 47.

A system may determine that traffic congestion has not caused the thirdvehicle 508 c to stop because traffic density for the second area 542 bis not greater than five motor vehicles per area and because trafficflow for the second area 542 b is not less than two miles per hour.

A system may determine that the third vehicle 508 c is not within athreshold distance of the off-ramp 548 because the third vehicle 508 cis not within the distance 546 of the off-ramp 548. Because the thirdvehicle 508 c is not within a threshold distance of the off-ramp 548, asystem may send a second type of alert. A second type of alert may besent to a fleet manager. A second type of alert may indicate to a fleetmanager that the third vehicle 508 c has made a dangerous orunauthorized stop and that urgent action is required because the thirdvehicle 508 c may be stopped on a side of a highway.

With respect to the fourth vehicle 508 d, a system may determine thatthe fourth vehicle 508 d is not stopped because the fourth vehicle 508 dis moving. Accordingly, a system may not take a safety action withrespect to the fourth vehicle 508 d.

FIG. 6 illustrates a situation in which the methods disclosed herein maybe implemented. A situation 640 shows a vehicle 608 on a road 634. Amotor vehicle 632 is shown on the road 634. The road 634 has a shoulder636. The vehicle 608 may be considered for purposes of this illustrationto not be moving.

A system may determine that the vehicle 608 is stopped because thevehicle 608 is not moving. A system may then determine a location of thevehicle 608. A GPS may determine a geographic location of the vehicle608. A GPS may determine a geographic location of the vehicle 608 thatis on the road 634.

A system may then determine whether traffic congestion has caused thevehicle 608 to be stopped. A system may determine traffic congestioncorresponding to a location of the vehicle 608. An area 642 representsone possible area corresponding to a location of the vehicle 608. Forpurposes of this illustration, a system may determine that trafficcongestion has not caused the vehicle 608 to be stopped because the area642 does not contain any motor vehicles.

A system may then determine whether the vehicle 608 is within athreshold distance 646 of a traffic control device 644. For purposes ofthis illustration, the traffic control device 644 is not within thethreshold distance 646 of the vehicle 608.

A system may then determine whether the road 634 on which the vehicle608 is stopped is a highway. For purposes of this illustration, the road640 is not a highway.

Assume for purposes of this illustration that a system is configured tosend a first type of alert when the vehicle 608 is stopped on a roadthat is not a highway and traffic congestion has not caused the vehicleto be stopped and the vehicle is not within a threshold distance of atraffic control device. Also assume for purposes of this illustrationthat a system is configured to send a second type of alert indicating ahigher urgency than a first type of alert when the vehicle 608 isstopped on a road that is a highway and traffic congestion is notcausing the vehicle to be stopped and the vehicle is not within athreshold distance of a traffic control device.

With these assumptions, a system may determine to send a first type ofalert the situation 640 because the vehicle 608 is stopped on the road634 that is not a highway, traffic congestion is not causing the vehicle608 to be stopped, and the vehicle 608 is not within the thresholddistance 646 of the traffic control device 644.

FIG. 7 illustrates certain components that may be included within acomputer system 700. One or more computer systems 700 may be used toimplement methods and systems disclosed herein.

The computer system 700 includes a processor 701. The processor 701 maybe a general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor (e.g., anAdvanced RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) Machine (ARM)), aspecial purpose microprocessor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)),a microcontroller, a programmable gate array, etc. The processor 701 maybe referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Although just asingle processor 701 is shown in the computer system 700 of FIG. 7, inan alternative configuration, a combination of processors (e.g., an ARMand DSP) could be used.

The computer system 700 also includes memory 703. The memory 703 may beany electronic component capable of storing electronic information. Forexample, the memory 703 may be embodied as random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storagemedia, flash memory devices in RAM, on-board memory included with theprocessor, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, and soforth, including combinations thereof.

Instructions 705 and data 707 may be stored in the memory 703. Theinstructions 705 may be executable by the processor 701 to implementsome or all of the methods disclosed herein. Executing the instructions705 may involve the use of the data 707 that is stored in the memory703. When the processor 701 executes the instructions 705, variousportions of the instructions 705 a may be loaded onto the processor 701,and various pieces of data 707 a may be loaded onto the processor 701.

Any of the various examples of modules and components described hereinmay be implemented, partially or wholly, as instructions 705 stored inmemory 703 and executed by the processor 701. Any of the variousexamples of data described herein may be among the data 707 that isstored in memory 703 and used during execution of the instructions 705by the processor 701.

A computer system 700 may also include one or more communicationinterfaces 709 for communicating with other electronic devices. Thecommunication interfaces 709 may be based on wired communicationtechnology, wireless communication technology, or both. Some examples ofcommunication interfaces 709 include a Universal Serial Bus (USB), anEthernet adapter, a wireless adapter that operates in accordance with anInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wirelesscommunication protocol, a Bluetooth® wireless communication adapter, andan infrared (IR) communication port.

A computer system 700 may also include one or more input devices 711 andone or more output devices 713. Some examples of input devices 711include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, remote control device, button,joystick, trackball, touchpad, and lightpen. Some examples of outputdevices 713 include a speaker, printer, etc. One specific type of outputdevice that is typically included in a computer system is a displaydevice 715. Display devices 715 used with embodiments disclosed hereinmay utilize any suitable image projection technology, such as liquidcrystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), gas plasma,electroluminescence, or the like. A display controller 717 may also beprovided, for converting data 707 stored in the memory 703 into text,graphics, and/or moving images (as appropriate) shown on the displaydevice 715.

The various components of the computer system 700 may be coupledtogether by one or more buses, which may include a power bus, a controlsignal bus, a status signal bus, a data bus, etc. For the sake ofclarity, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 7 as a bus system719.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a method for monitoring avehicle may include determining that the vehicle is stopped, determininga location where the vehicle is stopped, and determining trafficcongestion corresponding to the location where the vehicle is stopped. Asafety action may then be taken based at least in part on one or more ofwhether the vehicle is stopped on a road and whether the trafficcongestion is causing the vehicle to be stopped.

In some implementations, the act of taking a safety action may be basedat least in part on whether the vehicle is stopped on a highway. Thesafety action may include sending an alert.

In some implementations, a first type of alert may be sent if thelocation of the vehicle is within a threshold distance of a highwayon-ramp or a highway off-ramp. Otherwise a second type of alert may besent. The second type of alert may indicate higher urgency than thefirst type of alert.

In some implementations, a global positioning system may be used todetermine the location where the vehicle is stopped. The vehicle may bedetermined to be stopped on the highway if data from the globalpositioning system indicates that the location where the vehicle isstopped is on or within a threshold distance of the highway.

In some implementations, the vehicle may belong to a fleet. Sending thealert may include sending the alert to a manager of the fleet.

In some implementations, determining the traffic congestion may includedetermining one or more of traffic speed, traffic density, trafficvolume, traffic flow, or level of service.

In some implementations, the vehicle may be determined to be stopped ifthe vehicle has not moved for a threshold period of time.

In some implementations, the method may also include determining whethera traffic control device is present at the location of the vehicle. Theact of taking the safety action may be based at least in part on absenceof the traffic control device.

In some implementations, the vehicle may have at least one associateddriver. The safety action may include entering a note in a fileassociated with the at least one associated driver.

In some implementations, information captured by a camera may be used todetermine one or more of that the vehicle is stopped, the location wherethe vehicle is stopped, or traffic congestion corresponding to thelocation where the vehicle is stopped.

In some implementations, information from one or more of a radar systemor a LIDAR system may be used to determine that the vehicle is stopped.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a systemfor monitoring a vehicle may include one or more processors and memorycomprising instructions that are executable by the one or moreprocessors to perform certain operations. The operations may includedetermining that the vehicle is stopped, determining a location wherethe vehicle is stopped, and determining traffic congestion correspondingto the location where the vehicle is stopped. A safety action may betaken based at least in part on one or more of whether the vehicle isstopped on a road and whether the traffic congestion is causing thevehicle to be stopped.

In some implementations, the act of taking a safety action may be basedat least in part on whether the vehicle is stopped on a highway. Thesafety action may include sending an alert.

In some implementations, a first type of alert may be sent if thelocation of the vehicle is within a threshold distance of a highwayon-ramp or a highway off-ramp. Otherwise a second type of alert may besent. The second type of alert may indicate higher urgency than thefirst type of alert.

In some implementations, a global positioning system may be used todetermine the location where the vehicle is stopped. The vehicle may bedetermined to be stopped on the highway if data from the globalpositioning system indicates that the location where the vehicle isstopped is on or within a threshold distance of the highway.

In some implementations, determining the traffic congestion may includedetermining one or more of traffic speed, traffic density, trafficvolume, traffic flow, or level of service.

In some implementations, the vehicle may belong to a fleet. Sending thealert may include sending the alert to a manager of the fleet.

In some implementations, the system may additionally include a camera.Information captured by the camera may be used to determine one or moreof that the vehicle is stopped, the location where the vehicle isstopped, or traffic congestion corresponding to the location where thevehicle is stopped.

The techniques described herein may be implemented in hardware,software, firmware, or any combination thereof, unless specificallydescribed as being implemented in a specific manner. Any featuresdescribed as modules, components, or the like may also be implementedtogether in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete butinteroperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniquesmay be realized at least in part by a non-transitory processor-readablestorage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at leastone processor, perform one or more of the methods described herein. Theinstructions may be organized into routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc., which may perform particular tasksand/or implement particular data types, and which may be combined ordistributed as desired in various embodiments.

The steps and/or actions of the methods described herein may beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isrequired for proper operation of the method that is being described, theorder and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modifiedwithout departing from the scope of the claims.

The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and,therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing,deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, adatabase or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also,“determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information),accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also,“determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishingand the like.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to beinclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements. Additionally, it should be understood that referencesto “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, anyelement or feature described in relation to an embodiment herein may becombinable with any element or feature of any other embodiment describedherein, where compatible.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope ofthe disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for monitoring a vehicle, the methodcomprising: determining that the vehicle is stopped; determining alocation where the vehicle is stopped; determining traffic congestioncorresponding to the location where the vehicle is stopped; and taking asafety action based at least in part on one or more of whether thevehicle is stopped on a road and whether the traffic congestion iscausing the vehicle to be stopped.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thesafety action comprises sending an alert.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein taking a safety action is based at least in part on whether thevehicle is stopped on a highway.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein: afirst type of alert is sent if the location of the vehicle is within athreshold distance of a highway on-ramp or a highway off-ramp; andotherwise a second type of alert is sent, the second type of alertindicating higher urgency than the first type of alert.
 5. The method ofclaim 3, wherein: a global positioning system is used to determine thelocation where the vehicle is stopped; and the vehicle is determined tobe stopped on the highway if data from the global positioning systemindicates that the location where the vehicle is stopped is on or withina threshold distance of the highway.
 6. The method of claim 2, whereinthe vehicle belongs to a fleet and sending the alert comprises sendingthe alert to a manager of the fleet.
 7. The method of claim 2, whereindetermining the traffic congestion comprises determining one or more oftraffic speed, traffic density, traffic volume, traffic flow, or levelof service.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicle is determinedto be stopped if the vehicle has not moved for a threshold period oftime.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining whether atraffic control device is present at the location of the vehicle andwherein taking the safety action may be based at least in part onabsence of the traffic control device.
 10. The method of claim 2,wherein the vehicle has at least one associated driver and the safetyaction further comprises entering a note in a file associated with theat least one associated driver.
 11. The method of claim 2, whereininformation captured by a camera is used to determine one or more ofthat the vehicle is stopped, the location where the vehicle is stopped,or traffic congestion corresponding to the location where the vehicle isstopped.
 12. The method of claim 2, wherein information from one or moreof a radar system or a LIDAR system is used to determine that thevehicle is stopped.
 13. A system for monitoring a vehicle, comprising:one or more processors; and memory comprising instructions that areexecutable by the one or more processors to perform operationscomprising: determining that the vehicle is stopped; determining alocation where the vehicle is stopped; determining traffic congestioncorresponding to the location where the vehicle is stopped; and taking asafety action based at least in part on one or more of whether thevehicle is stopped on a road and whether the traffic congestion iscausing the vehicle to be stopped.
 14. The system of claim 12, whereinthe safety action comprises sending an alert.
 15. The method of claim12, wherein taking a safety action is based at least in part on whetherthe vehicle is stopped on a highway.
 16. The system of claim 15,wherein: a first type of alert is sent if the location of the vehicle iswithin a threshold distance of a highway on-ramp or a highway off-ramp;and otherwise a second type of alert is sent, the second type of alertindicating higher urgency than the first type of alert.
 17. The systemof claim 15, wherein: a global positioning system is used to determinethe location where the vehicle is stopped; and the vehicle is determinedto be stopped on the highway if data from the global positioning systemindicates that the location where the vehicle is stopped is on or withina threshold distance of the highway.
 18. The system of claim 14, whereindetermining the traffic congestion comprises determining one or more oftraffic speed, traffic density, traffic volume, traffic flow, or levelof service.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle belongs to afleet and sending the alert comprises sending the alert to a manager ofthe fleet.
 20. The system of claim 14 further comprising a camera andwherein information captured by the camera is used to determine one ormore of that the vehicle is stopped, the location where the vehicle isstopped, or traffic congestion corresponding to the location where thevehicle is stopped.